Current Affairs Quiz-September, 2020

Notes:
As per a recent report on released by UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Population Division of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs and World Bank Group, the Under-five mortality rate in India declined from 126 in 1990 to 34 in 2019.
Also, the Infant mortality rate in India declined from 89 in 1990 to 28 in 2019. The data has been published in ‘Levels & Trends in Child Mortality’ Report 2020.

Notes:
India and Japan have recently signed a key agreement for Reciprocal provision of supplies and services between their Defence forces.
Called as the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA), it facilitates smooth provision of supplies and services between Japan’s Self-Defense Forces and India’s armed forces. This agreement is expected to promote military cooperation and regional security.

Notes:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has decided to measure the extent of digital payment in India by devising Digital Payment Index.
The index would also assess innovation in existing modes and will help bridge digital divide. The development of the Digital Payment Index is based on the recommendations made by Nandan Nilekani Committee on Digital Payments.

Notes:
The High Court of Kerala has issued a set of directives to the state regarding Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO).
The High Court has directed the state to appoint woman IPS officer in every district, to oversee the cases investigated under POSCO Act. It has also directed to establish One-Stop Support Centres, in lines with the Supreme Court directions, to protect the victims.

Notes:
The United States of America (USA) has recently revoked the Visas of more than 1,000 Chinese students and researchers.
The move is under the directions of the US President Donald Trump in May 2020. The proclamation is aimed at Chinese nationals who are suspected to have ties with Chinese military. In this regard, China has accused US of racial discrimination.

Notes:
Germany has recently carried out the first nationwide test of its civil alarm systems since the end of the Cold War.
The country has also newly created National Warning Day, or Warntag, which is to be observed every year on September 10. Several alarms were sounded to alert the public to create the awareness about the measures to be taken in the backdrop of a national emergency.

Notes:
Security and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has proposed to revamp its IT infrastructure network and communication systems.
Also, SEBI has proposed to have a centralised control over its network. In this regard, SEBI has shortlisted 8 companies which includes Bharti Airtel, Wipro, TCS, HP, IBM, NTT India, Orange Business Services India Technology and Sify Technologies.

Notes:
The Government of India has released a sum of Rs.6,195 crore to 14 states as Revenue Deficit Grant. This is as per the recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission.
Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Punjab, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttarakhand and West Bengal are the 14 states to receive the grant from centre.

Notes:
The Institute of Pesticide Formulation Technology (IPFT) has successfully developed a “Disinfectant spray for surface application”.
The alcohol based “Disinfectant Spray” for the surface applications contains botanical anti-microbials which would prevent various diseases caused by bacteria and virus. IPFT is an autonomous Institution under the Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers.

Notes:
According to the Asian Development Bank, Asia’s economy will contract for the first time since the early 1960s.
The bank had earlier projected that the GDP would grow by 0.1 per cent. Now, it is estimated that Asia’s GDP would decline by 0.7 per cent in 2020 and would increase to 7.7 per cent in 2021. It also highlighted that the GD in India would contract by 9% this year.